James Craig - Sydney to Melbourne

We´re ten miles east of Port Jackson, under full sail, full and
by. We´ve just worn ship, and about to take in the royals. It´s a
perfect day, with 20 knots from the NE, and we´re trotting along at
seven knots. Now we´ve brought her onto a starboard tack for the
final run into Sydney, due at Pyrmont at 1500 hrs.
Even at this distance the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge arches
above the horizon, and as we near closer, the sandstone cliffs of
Sydney Heads stand high, above our masts. The harbour is a hive of
activity, yachts reefed down, commercial ships plodding their way
down the main channels, and our own steam yacht, ´Lady Hopetown´
(1902) and the gentleman´s schooner ´Boomerang´ (1903) have come to
greet us. All three of us are flying the distinctive Sydney Heritage
Fleet house flag; the Southern Cross upon a blue cross on white, with
a golden ship in the canton. The flag is adapted from Australia´s
first national flag, designed in 1824.
It´s all sixty-six hands on deck for the regular bracing of yards and
the shifting of fore-and-afters at every turn. It´s a seven mile sail
up the harbour, and we´re still carrying ten sails, which makes it an
exhilarating experience for all. The only one sleeping is Rusty the
dog, who has scampered off to avoid being trampled on.
The Spirit of Tasmania is leaving port, Kerry Packer´s twenty million
dollar yacht is anchored in Athol Bay, and as we approach the lee of
Kirribilli, all square sails are taken in for the final run under the
bridge and around to Pyrmont Bay. Hands are scurrying aloft to furl,
berthing ropes are being laid out on deck, the Sydney Opera House
gleams white in the brilliant sunshine, and we are almost home.
They say that all good things must come to an end, but few endings
are as good as this. --- James Parbery.